Portsmouth Police say man who was arrested for alleged child solicitation was detained by ICE

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — The Portsmouth Police Department said that a man who was arrested as part of a sting against alleged child sex traffickers was detained by ICE after leaving the police station.

1/ Recent media reports on the arrest of Josue Perez Gomez require clarification. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) partnered with us in the July 11, 2025 child exploitation investigation and was present during the arrest. pic.twitter.com/vrwD8b9Cxt

— Portsmouth Police RI (@PortsmouthPDRI) August 10, 2025

29-year-old Josue Gomez, of Acushnet, was charged with patronizing a minor for commercial sexual activity, indecent solicitation of a minor, and procurement of sexual conduct for a fee.

Gomez was arrested on July 11 and held overnight.

When he was released the next day, ICE officers took him into custody.

The department said that Homeland Security Investigations were partnered with the original sting, and DHS issued a detainer which asked the department to notify them when Gomez was released.